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Now that the holiday season and gift exchanging is over, the Prescott Valley Police Department knows that many young people have received new cell phones and computers and are exploring new ways to use them. While it’s not necessarily likely that your child will be contacted by a predator online, the danger does exist.
Below are some guidelines parents and caregivers can tell their young people to help them stay safe from online predators
Educate your child: Teach your child about the signs and risks of online predators, such as asking personal questions, isolating them, and trying to meet them in person. Explain to them that they should never share personal information with strangers online.
Build trust: Trust your child and build a good relationship with them, so they can share with you their online activities and friends. Encourage them to come to you if they ever feel uncomfortable or threatened online.
Monitor online activity: Use apps like Screen Time and Net Nanny to monitor, control, and block your children’s online access and exposure to dangerous content. This will help you keep track of their online activity and ensure their safety.
Set rules: Establish clear rules for your child’s online activity, such as limiting screen time, setting privacy settings, and restricting access to certain websites.
Stay informed: Keep yourself informed about the latest online trends and threats, so you can stay ahead of the curve and protect your child from harm.
Here are some guidelines for young people:
Avoid using suggestive screen names or photos. These can result in unwanted attention from online predators.
If someone is flattering you online, you should be wary. Although many people online are genuinely nice, predators may use flattery to try to start a relationship with a teen. This doesn’t mean you need to be suspicious of everyone, but you should be careful.
Don’t talk to anyone who wants to get too personal. If they want to talk about things that are sexual or personal, you should end the conversation. Once you get pulled into a conversation (or a relationship), it may be more difficult to stop.
Keep in mind that people are not always who they say they are. Predators may pretend to be children or teenagers to talk to kids online. They may use a fake profile picture and add other profile details to appear more convincing.
Never arrange to meet with someone you met online. Predators may try to arrange a face-to-face meeting with a child or teen. Even if the person seems nice, this can be dangerous.
Tell a parent or trusted adult if you encounter a problem. If anyone makes you feel uncomfortable online, you should tell a parent or trusted adult immediately. You should also save any emails or other communication because they may be needed as evidence.
The Prescott Valley Police Department wants all young people to stay safe.
Prescott Valley Police Department can be contacted at (928) 772-9267 for non-emergencies, 911 for emergencies. Yavapai Silent witness is 1-800-932-3232.
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